Class A Chimney quality... list the brands in order of quality in your opinion please

[mhrischuk]

Like the title reads.

I don't have a clue what the good and the bad are and I don't want to make a mistake.

Thanks all.

 

[cmonSTART]

Ventis Class-A
Dura Tech
Selkirk-Metalbestos
Dura-Plus

That's how I would rate them.

 

[oldspark]

Not sure you can go wrong with any of the major brands, shop for the best deal.

 

[begreen]

I would add ICC Excel pipe somewhere near the top of Cmon's list.

 

[cmonSTART]

I would add ICC Excel pipe somewhere near the top of Cmon's list.

I've heard good things about it but have never used it myself.

 

[begreen]

We opted for DuraTech for the cost/performance, but in speaking to the installers I most respected, they felt Excel was the best. Still, after pulling a run of 22 yr old Metalbestos when we did the remodel, and seeing what fine condition it was still in, I stopped thinking about it. The DuraTech will likely outlast me.

 

[cmonSTART]

I really like Dura Tech double wall. The price is right and the quality of the parts and pieces is really great. Tees and supports are all adjustable/well made etc.

 

[webbie]

I agree that many, most or all are good. I think longevity and safety depends more on correct installation and maintenance.

Excel is considered a premium brand by many dealers.

I'd personally buy and use most any brand. If I lived in a very corrosive environment (near a salt water beach, etc.) I'd dig around a bit and check out the various alloys, warranties, etc.

 

[cmonSTART]

I agree that many, most or all are good. I think longevity and safety depends more on correct installation and maintenance.

That is THE most important factor in anything hearth related!

 

[mhrischuk]

I was trying to compare pricing but I could not get pricing on the Excel line. Called an Excel dealer. He wanted my list of parts and then he would quote. I don't like to purchase price blind. Anybody have a price list on Excel 8" chimney products?

 

[begreen]

I have no idea if these are good prices or not, but a google search came up with this company selling Excel pipe:

(broken link removed)

 

[mhrischuk]

Wow that stuff is expensive.

 

[oldspark]

I found some good (I think) prices on Dura Tech and was very happy with the quality of the material.

 

[skinanbones]

my newest price list here in Canada is allmost $60 more for a 4' then whats listed on that site

 

[begreen]

I found some good (I think) prices on Dura Tech and was very happy with the quality of the material.

Did you end up getting it through dynamitebuys.com?

 

[oldspark]

I found some good (I think) prices on Dura Tech and was very happy with the quality of the material.

Did you end up getting it through dynamitebuys.com?

No I got the stuff through this link, I thought his prices were better than many so I quit looking after finding his site, I think I did check out dynamitebuys but not sure.
http://www.fireplaceessentials.com/

 

[Clarks ACE Hardware]

I found some good (I think) prices on Dura Tech and was very happy with the quality of the material.

Did you end up getting it through dynamitebuys.com?

No I got the stuff through this link, I thought his prices were better than many so I quit looking after finding his site, I think I did check out dynamitebuys but not sure.
http://www.fireplaceessentials.com/

Are you guys aware that your Simpson/MG Dura-Vent warranty is void when you purchase it online?

 

[oldspark]

Nope news to me, bummer.

 

[oldspark]

Just read the warranty, if both bought on the internet and not installed by a professional installer, if I have a pipe split and they wont cover it they aint gonna like it.

 

[mhrischuk]

I just hit the "Place Order" button on my Equinox vent system.

All ICC Excel, stainless class A. with three 48" sections. I decided to go high. It's not too unsightly since it's at the far end of the house and mostly covered by other ridges. This way there is no doubt about draft and roof clearance.

This stuff is stainless inner and outer.

The whole order came to $1825

Includes all of the ICC UltraBlack double wall stove pipe.

It sure does add up.

I got discounts on all of the pieces, free shipping from Washington State to PA and a $30 coupon because their website was missing a load of parts that I made them aware of.

I'll have 17 feet of draft. I also decided to go with a stove pipe damper for that extra bit of control.

 

[turbocruiser]

Not that I'm an expert at this stuff but I basically researched and researched till my head started spinning (included reading anything and everything I could as well as calling several companys' tech lines to ask specific additional things) and concluded that ICC Excel and ICC UltraBlack are among the best of the best in Class A Chimney Systems. Some things that impressed me:

1. Not only rated on UL's standardized testing system but also on ULC's standardized testing system. The UL tests are continuous maximum operating temp of 1000 degrees F and standing up to three ten minute 2100 degrees F "chimney creosote fires" whereas the ULC tests are continuous operating temp of 1200 degrees F and standing up to three thirty minute 2100 F fires. Although both standards insure safe operation, I really like that the ULC standard is supposedly the toughest standard throughout the world.

2. Above all the standards specified in the UL and ULC ratings, ICC tests their system for "brief forced firings" ( I think that's a 30 minute interval if I remember right?) of 1700 degrees F! They also test their system to run at 1250 degrees F for a full 8 hours.

3. The ICC UltraBlack Stove Pipe has a 100% Lifetime Warranty, it is pretty thick stainless steel on the inner layer and "satin steel" on the outer layer which was specifically meant to be touched up with reg stove paint. Both the inner and outer layers are continuous seam welded. There are no twist lock tabs to secure the sections should more than one section of Stove Pipe be needed. The sections are screwed together with pre drilled positions and they also have super strong male/female type fit together. This supposedly significantly increases its ability to move together as a system which won't "fight itself into warpage over the long term" (words of one of ICC's techs).

4. The ICC Excel Chimney Pipe has a Limited Lifetime Warranty, it is pretty thick stainless on the inner layer and the outer layer and again the inner and outer are continuous seam welded. Again, there are no twist lock tabs to secure the sections, the sections are secured by screwing through pre drilled positions and again have that super strong male/female type fit together. According to ICC their insulation is extremely effective and this helps to eliminate hot spots and cold spots as well as to keep the internal temps higher. Also according to ICC the system is super light which helps it heat up faster and avoid accumulation of creosote.

I should finish by saying that throughout this exhaustive research I realized over and over that truly any Class A Chimney system nowadays is going to work extremely well. I think that we're sorta splitting hairs here but in the hope it helps, this was the research I did and the reason I decided on ICC. Hope this helps.

 

[mhrischuk]

I did see ICC uses a light insulation in the chimney pipe as opposed to the filled core style.
I knew I was going to spend over $1000 and I figure for a few hundred dollars I'll go with the full stainless Class A. I'm one of those that tends to buy the higher level stuff all around so it was a matter of finding what brand is and then finding a good deal.

 

[oldspark]

For me it was more than just a few hundred dollars and after reading on here about how good all the pipes are I just went for the best deal, I thought about the ICC but could not justify the extra cost. The Dura Tech is also full stainless so not sure what you are refering to there, I was surprised to find out the pipe itself is 2 inch clearance as they seem to push the one inch thing.

 

[mhrischuk]

Yea the DuraTech stuff looks good too. I see they are now owned by M&G Duravent.

 

[PapaDave]

Looked at this thread back in July, and am now considering replacing the 8" with 6".
Does anyone have experience with Hart & Cooley pipe? Heard of it?